Rochdale is a great town – lets shout about it!

Businesses across Rochdale town centre say that ‘Developing the town’s identity and branding to attract more visitors’ is the most important initiative which would benefit their business according to latest research of business views of Rochdale.

The research undertaken as part of the preparation of the business plan for the Business Improvement District identified that 80% of businesses in the town thought that their business would improve if there was a coordinated approach to marketing the town.

At the end of last year Rochdale Town Centre Management formed a steering group made up of businesses from across Rochdale town centre, representing professional services, retail and leisure to develop a Business Improvement District (BID).

BIDs were first introduced into this country in 2004 having worked successfully in the USA and Canada. There are now over 300 BIDs which businesses have voted for and are in operation across many towns and cities ranging from Altincham and Stockport to Manchester city centre and Leeds.

Lorenzo O’Reilly, chairman of the steering group which has developed the BID business plan, said: "One of the key concerns from businesses was the perception of Rochdale which is very negative. We need to work hard at changing that by building on the heritage we have here and promoting our attractive town centre. There will be many people who have not been to Rochdale in a long time and we need to encourage them back again to take a new look.

"With the new exciting developments taking place in the town centre, a Business Improvement District offers a great opportunity to come together as a collective voice with our own budget to support our businesses and change the perceptions of our town."

The business plan, which will be put to the vote by businesses in October, includes initiatives such as marketing campaigns for retailers and cafes, restaurants and bars, having a dedicated website to promote what’s on in Rochdale and generating positive social media to start promoting the positive aspects of the town.

Businesses also considered that there needs to be more things to do in the town in the daytime and the night-time for local people and to attract more visitors to the town. The BID proposal also includes plans to build on the successful events which already exist such as the ‘Feel Good Festival’ and create even more events and things to do generally.

If you are a business and would like more information about the BID please contact:

Paul Ambrose

E: paul@rochdaletcm.co.uk or enquiries@rochdalebid.co.uk

T: 01706 926677

W: www.rochdalebid.co.uk

or just drop in for coffee:

Rochdale Town Centre Management, 34 The Wheatsheaf Shopping Centre, Rochdale, OL16 1JZ